But the Lord said, you have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city, Jonah 410 and eleven. Everyone remembers the story of Jonah, but most only recall the part about him being swallowed by a big fish. So let me refresh your memory of it. Jonah was commanded by God to go preach to the people of Nineveh, telling them to repent of their sins, or else God would destroy them and their town. Jonah wasnt a fan of the city, so he decided to run away. He got on a ship and sailed off into the sunset. Why Jonah thought he could get away with disobeying the Lord is anyones guess. Of course, were as guilty as he was at times. Arent we knowing what God wants us to do, but choosing to ignore it in order to do what we want instead? Well, the Lord caught up with Jonah and sent a huge storm across the sea to get everyone's attention. When it was discovered that old Jonah was the reason that the ship was in danger, it was agreed that he should be tossed overboard. As soon as he was thrown over the side. The storm stilled, and that's when the prophet became whale food. God kept Jonah in the belly of that great fish for three days and three nights. Then he had the fish spit Jonah out onto dry land. This time, Jonah headed to Nineveh and preached as God said, lo and behold, everyone in the city, including the king, fell to their knees to repent before God, so he did not destroy the city. You'd think Jonah would have been happy about that, but instead he was mad. Apparently, he had hoped the people wouldn't listen and would be destroyed. So he went up on a hill to mope and feel sorry for himself. He sat in the shade of a big plant. But the next day, God made the plant wither, leaving Jonah sitting in the hot sun. Woe is me. He cried. First the city is spared, and then this plant dies. I might as well be dead. Excuse me, God said, but you're mad about a plant you didn't make grow. What about the 120,000 people I spared? Not to mention their cows? Don't you think you should be happy about that? Bill Keene, the creator of the comic strip family circus, once showed father and son stuck at a railroad crossing. Oh, no, thinks the dad. We'll be held up by that stupid train. But little Jeffy has a different point of view. Oh, boy, he says with excitement. We're in luck, dad. We get to watch a train go by. What's the lesson in all of this for us? What a difference perspective makes. Let's just make sure we have the right one.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to dailythoughtspodcastmail.com. Have a great day, and we hope youll join us tomorrow as pastor Steve opens gods word to bring us another thought for the day.